UK weather latest: Body found in search after Storm Bert as ‘devastating’ floods cause train and traffic chaos

Storm Bert is continuing to cause travel disruptions today due to several rail lines being shut following “devastating” flooding over the weekend.

At least five deaths have been reported in England and Wales since Storm Bert hit as the heavy rainfall and thawed snow put more than 400 areas in the UK at risk of flooding.

A body was found on Sunday in the search for a 75-year-old man missing in the River Conwy, another man in his 60s died after a tree fell on his car on the A34 near Winchester, Hampshire. Three others have died in fatal motor-related incidents.

Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan said it had been a “really difficult weekend” and that the flooding was “absolutely devastating” ahead of Christmas.

The second named storm of the season brought nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph recorded, causing chaos for those travelling by road and rail.

Key points

• Flood warnings and alerts mapped

• Flooding in Wales ‘absolutely devastating’ ahead of Christmas, says first minister

• Man in 60s killed after tree falls on car in Hampshire

• Airports returning to normal after massive weekend disruption

Billing Aquadrome submerged as Storm Bert wreaks havoc across the UK

14:00 , Holly Evans

In pictures: Floodwater submerges Billing Aquadrome

13:45 , Holly Evans

UK weather warnings map reveals which areas are most at risk of flooding

13:30 , Holly Evans

Storm Bert continues to bring widespread destruction to communities across the UK as more than 200 flood warnings and alerts remain in place.

Wales saw severe winds and flooding over the weekend, with homes left underwater and roads resembling rivers. Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan said the storm has been “absolutely devastating”.

At least five deaths have been confirmed across England and Wales since Storm Bert hit. A body was found on Sunday in the search for a 75-year-old man missing in the River Conwy, as four others died in fatal motor-related incidents.

Read the full article here:

Storm Bert: Weather warnings map reveals which areas are most at risk of flooding

Environment secretary says UK flood defences in the ‘worst condition’

13:18 , Holly Evans

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the UK’s flood defences are in the “worst condition on record” but added the Government has committed £2.4 billion to upgrade them.

He said: “This Government inherited from the previous government flood defences that are in the worst condition on record.

“Now we’ve allocated in the budget £2.4 billion to upgrade our flood defences, better maintain those we already have, build new flood defences to keep people safe.

“That will make a difference and that’s what we need to do to cope much better with the impact of climate change that we’re seeing with these floods.

Asked how quickly the improvements will happen, Mr Reed said: “Well, there’s already work under way today.

“We’re allocating more money this winter and next year to upgrade those flood defences faster, but as I say, £2.4 billion over the next two years, that is a lot of upgrade work, and it will help to keep more people safe from floods as we keep getting this kind of weather.”

Met Office’s five day weather forecast

12:50 , Holly Evans

Today:

Early cloud and rain in the far southeast clearing with sunshine and showers following. Showers most frequent in the north, with some longer spells of rain developing here. Windy with coastal gales in the north. Temperatures around average.

Tonight:

Clear spells and further rain or showers across northern and western areas overnight. Largely dry elsewhere with the odd fog patch possible. Winds easing away from the far north.

Tuesday:

A few showers continuing across northern and western coasts, but many areas dry with plenty of sunshine. Rather cold in the north, but temperatures near average further south.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Rain and possibly strong winds moving across southern areas Wednesday. Otherwise becoming largely dry and settled, although rain may move into the far west at times, especially on Friday. Colder.

Media star says Storm Bert brought worst flooding in two decades

12:19 , Holly Evans

Media personality Christine Hamilton said Storm Bert has brought the worst flooding in two decades to where they live in Wiltshire after her kitchen had at least two inches of water through it.

Mrs Hamilton, who came third in the first series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2002, shared footage on social media of her husband former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton bailing water out of their home in Hullavington on Sunday evening.

“We were literally bailing out water constantly for three hours, just to try and keep the level down to what it was,” Mrs Hamilton said.

“We had two inches of water in the back kitchen, and then if we stopped bailing for two seconds, the water would climb even further.”

Mrs Hamilton said some friends attempted to bring the couple a pump to help them remove the water, but it was “impossible” to reach the house due to the flooding.

“We’ve been here 20 years, and we’ve never had ever, ever had flooding before… we’ve had so much rain over the last weeks and months that the ground is waterlogged, and when Bert arrived, it just couldn’t cope,” she said.

Father carried his baby son to safety after car becomes submerged in flood

11:33 , Holly Evans

A father pulled his baby son to safety from the window of his car after his vehicle became submerged in deep flood water during Storm Bert.

Andre Randles was on his way to Todmorden in West Yorkshire on Saturday, when he entered a sudden dip which saw flood water seep into his car, which was carrying his 11-month-old son Luca.

“As soon as I saw danger, saw the water coming into the car and we were no longer floating and starting to sink, something switched in me,” Mr Randles told the BBC.

“I thought I needed to get out and get Luca out,” he added. The 22-year-old ended up carrying his son over his head while he waded through chest-high water.

“I was trying to get him somewhere safe as quickly as possible.”

Storm Bert causes flooding on railway tracks between Milton Keynes and Rugby

11:24 , Holly Evans

Flooding in Wales ‘absolutely devastating’ ahead of Christmas, says first minister

10:58 , Holly Evans

Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan said it had been a “really difficult weekend” and that the flooding was “absolutely devastating” for those involved.

A major incident was declared in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region of south Wales on Sunday, with between 200 and 300 properties in the area affected by flooding from the storm.

“It’s been a really difficult weekend and I’d like to thank the emergency services for all the support they’re giving to the people affected,” she said.

“I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm. There’s been huge investments since the last storm hit, so we’ve managed to protect lots more properties than last time. But obviously this is absolutely devastating, just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted.”

Storm Bert leaving an ‘unsettled’ start to Monday

10:51 , Holly Evans

Storm Bert is “only just slowly pulling away” from the UK on Monday, meaning an “unsettled start to the day”, according to the Met Office website.

In an online forecast, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “The day ahead is generally a mixture of sunny spells and showers.”

Frequent showers are expected in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, Wales and the West Country, with sunnier, drier weather across parts of the Midlands and south-east England, he continued.

It will be “a pretty windy afternoon” across the country, with gusts of around 30mph to 40mph which may reach 50mph in parts of Scotland, Mr Dewhurst added.

London and south-east England will experience a top temperature of 11C, with highs of 7C expected in Scotland.

Storm Bert travel chaos hits trains, flights and ferries: Full breakdown

09:57 , Holly Evans

Hundreds of thousands of travellers were unable to complete their journeys around the UK at the weekend due to severe disruption caused by Storm Bert.

Key rail links were closed and around 400 flights serving UK airports were either cancelled or diverted on Sunday.

The damage caused by the low-pressure system is continuing to cause major problems on the transport network, with rail passengers particularly hard hit.

Read the full story here:

Storm Bert travel chaos hits trains, flights and ferries: Full breakdown

Airports returning to normal after massive weekend disruption

09:22 , Simon Calder

Tens of thousands of airline passengers are out of position after hundreds of flights were cancelled and diverted on Sunday.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, at least 388 UK flights were cancelled on Sunday. In addition, London Gatwick and Heathrow both saw large numbers of “go-arounds” (when pilots decide to abort their landing) and subsequent diversions.

London Heathrow was hardest hit, with at least 234 cancellations – most of them on British Airways, which has over half the slots at the UK’s biggest airport.

London City airport was effectively closed to many arrivals during the afternoon and evening. A spokesperson for BA said: “To comply with air traffic restrictions imposed on us due to adverse winter weather conditions caused by Storm Bert, we have had to reduce our schedule at London Heathrow and London City Airport.

“We’re sorry that some of our customers’ journeys have been disrupted as a result of these restrictions and we’re offering them rebooking or refund options.”

Almost all flights are operating as normal; some overnight long-haul arrivals are late because the outbound flights were delayed, and odd short-haul departures such as SAS to Stockholm are cancelled because the aircraft could not get in on Sunday night.

A5 in Northamptonshire closed in both directions

08:49 , Holly Evans

National Highways said the A5 in Northamptonshire is closed in both directions between the A43 (Towcester) and A422/A508 (Old Stratford) due to “severe flooding” in the area.

Specialist contractors are working at the scene to clear the flood water from the carriageway.

The M32 in Bristol was closed in both directions between Junction 1 (Stoke Gifford) and Junction 19 (M4) from late on Sunday night.

It was fully reopened at around 5am on Monday.

The A66 between North Yorkshire and Cumbria was closed to high-sided and other vulnerable vehicles in both directions between the A1M (Scotch Corner) and the M6 due to strong winds, but the restriction was lifted at around 6.30am.

GWR suspends most rail services as Storm Bert continues

08:26 , Albert Toth

Great Western Railway said it has suspended services on “all key routes” due to flooding and fallen trees.

The operator’s network runs between London Paddington and both south-west England and south Wales.

It said: “GWR has suspended train services on all key routes after flooding and fallen trees have blocked access at key locations on the Great Western network.

“We’re sorry for the disruption to journeys. Network Rail and GWR teams are working hard across the network and will carry out inspections to reopen lines as quickly as possible.

“Disruption is expected to last until at least the end of the day on Monday.

“Customers are advised not to travel and check for the latest updates and GWR.com.”

In pictures: Storm Bert tears across the UK

07:51 , Albert Toth

These images show the extreme weather Storm Bert is bringing across the UK.

The named storm has brought nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph recorded.

Flood warnings and alerts mapped

07:40 , Albert Toth

The government has updated its flood checking service to see where is most at risk across the UK.

There are currently 160 flood warnings in place, with one marked as severe and posing danger to life. This is at the River Nene at the Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks.

Those living in areas marked with flood warnings are advised to act now to protect themselves. Those in areas where there are flood alerts are advised to be prepared.

For the full list of flood warnings and alerts, and government advice, you can use their flood checking service.

Full story: Body found in search for dog walker as Storm Bert brings month of rain in 48 hours

07:00 , Tara Cobham

A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing in floodwater as Storm Bert brought nearly a month’s worth of rain in less than 48 hours and winds of up to 82mph.

Hundreds of flood alerts and five weather warnings were still in place across the UK on Sunday afternoon, as the second named storm of the season continued to cause disruption, including travel chaos.

On Sunday afternoon, North Wales Police said a body had been found in the area of Gower Road, Trefiw, in north-west Wales near the Afon Conwy river, where 75-year-old Brian Perry went missing on Saturday while walking his dog. The body has not been formally identified, but Mr Perry’s family has been informed.

Read the full story here:

Body found in search for dog walker as Storm Bert brings month of rain in 48 hours

Keir Starmer thanks emergency services

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Prime minister Keir Starmer thanked the emergency service personnels, who he said were “working tirelessly to protect communities”, as Storm Bert left a trail of destruction.

“... my thoughts are with those impacted,” he said in a post on X.

“I’m receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK.”

Watch: Fallen tree blocks off road in Kent as Storm Bert batters UK

06:00 , Tara Cobham

Rail travel warning for today

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Rail passengers have been urged not to travel between Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Stansted Airport lines after multiple fallen trees damaged the electrical overhead wires.

Major disruption is expected until 2pm today, according to reports.

Southern, which runs rail services across the south-east of England, said some services will be cancelled today or revised because of forecast severe weather, including on its London network and the West Coastway between Havant and Southampton.

Services across other rail companies could start later than normal as tracks that were flooded or hit by fallen trees are inspected.

Full story: Major incident declared in South Wales as Storm Bert takes its toll

05:00 , Tara Cobham

A major incident has been declared in South Wales after dozens of homes, businesses and a number of schools were affected by flooding during Storm Bert.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.

Meanwhile, a body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police said.

Read the full story here:

Major incident declared in South Wales as Storm Bert takes its toll

Five dead in Storm Bert flooding

04:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least five people have reportedly died as Storm Bert caused “devastating” flooding over the weekend in the UK, leaving hundreds of homes underwater and turning roads into rivers.

A body was found in the search for a 75-year-old man missing in the River Conwy, as the heavy rainfall and thawed snow brought by Storm Bert put more than 400 areas in the UK at risk of flooding.

A man in his 80s died after his car entered the water near Colne over the weekend, the police said. The man was recovered from the water on Cockhill Lane and rushed to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Watch: Storm Bert sweeps across UK causing severe flooding in South Wales

04:00 , Tara Cobham

In pics: Storm Bert hits the UK

03:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Flood alerts in place for England and Wales

03:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

More than 200 flood alerts remain in place for England and Wales and travel issues are set to continue into the new week.

The last of the Met Office’s rain warnings ended at 11.59pm yesterday but strong winds persist and rain from high ground will reach rivers, which could disrupt clean-up efforts.

The Met Office forecast that rain in the south-east of England will clear today but blustery showers could stick around for the north-west.

Simon Brown, services director at the Met Office, told PA: “Our thoughts are with those who are currently affected with the impacts caused by Storm Bert in South Wales, as well as the rest of the country.”

“Storm Bert was well forecast, 48 hours in advance, with a number of warnings in place ahead of the system reaching the UK.”

Welsh first minister says floods have been ‘absolutely devastating’

03:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan said the flood has been “absolutely devastating” as Storm Bert is forecast to continue causing disruption.

“I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm,” she said.

“There’s been huge investments since the last storm hit, so we’ve managed to protect lots more properties than last time.

“But obviously this is absolutely devastating just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted.”

Every storm name for 2024/25 revealed as Storm Bert batters UK

03:00 , Tara Cobham

The Met Office has already confirmed the storm names to be used across 2024 and 2025 – as the UK is hit by Storm Bert.

The new storms list – first launched in 2015 – for each year generally runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn.

James, Lewis and Mavis are all included in the new list in honour of figures from the Met Office’s 170-year history.

Every storm name for 2024/25 revealed as Storm Bert hits UK

Backlog of 120 emergency calls as South Wales hit by flooding

02:00 , Tara Cobham

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service faced a backlog of 120 emergency calls at the peak of the major incident that was declared as a result of the flooding.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer Fin Monahan told a press conference in Pontypridd that the major incident was declared earlier on Sunday based on the number of calls they were getting and the number of assets they were distributing out on the ground.

He said at the peak there was “120 calls stacked up”, adding: “As soon as we declared the major incident, we were in a position that we were then able to offload those calls onto other neighbouring fire and rescue services who then helped us deal with the call flow.

“We had about 75 per cent of our available assets out on the ground and we’ve had people out on the ground there doing incredible work.”

He said it had been a “very busy morning”, but the rainfall was forecast to subside on Sunday afternoon.

Where has the most rain fallen?

01:00 , Tara Cobham

Drivers warned just 30cm of floodwater is enough to float your car

00:00 , Tara Cobham

The Environment Agency has warned that “just 30cm of water is enough to float your car”, as it urged motorists not to drive through floodwaters.

More than 400 areas are at risk of flooding in Scotland, England and Wales.

Met Office warns rivers will continue to rise even after rain has passed

Sunday 24 November 2024 23:00 , Tara Cobham

While the rain is set to subside throughout the evening, the Met Office has warned that river levels will continue to rise even after the rain has passed.

Met Office warnings ‘could be amended at short notice'

Sunday 24 November 2024 22:27 , Andy Gregory

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page has warned that the forecaster could make rapid changes to weather alerts as Storm Bert continues to batter the UK.

“Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain,” he said.

“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.

“The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central, southern and eastern England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts.

“Warnings could still be amended, possibly at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”

Bridge damaged during Storm Dennis now completely washed away

Sunday 24 November 2024 22:00 , Tara Cobham

An entire bridge under construction after being damaged four years ago during Storm Dennis was washed away during widespread floods in Wales on Saturday night.

The Abercynon Feeder Pipe Footbridge over the River Taff in South Wales, which was being rebuilt after being substantially damaged during Storm Dennis in 2020, was completely washed away, councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council, said.

“It was completely washed away last night, so the scaffolding, the piers ... everything has completely gone,” Mr Morgan told a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

London attractions and parks closed in strong winds

Sunday 24 November 2024 21:30 , Tara Cobham

As windy conditions persist, some attractions have been closed.

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is closed on Sunday and all of London’s Royal Parks, including Greenwich Park and Primrose Hill, are shut.

GoFundMe page set up for flood victims in south Wales

Sunday 24 November 2024 20:55 , Andy Gregory

A local MP has set up a GoFundMe page to help people affected by the flooding in south Wales, where hundreds of properties have been submerged.

Pictured: Firefighters earlier pumping water from Pontypridd street

Sunday 24 November 2024 20:30 , Tara Cobham

‘Danger to life' flood warnings issued near Monmouth

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:55 , Andy Gregory

Natural Resource Wales has issued two severe “danger to life” flood warnings along the River Monnow, near Monmouth.

The agency has issued a further 51 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and 45 alerts, where flooding is possible.

Man dies after car entered water in Lancashire on Saturday

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:43 , Tara Cobham

A man in his 80s has died after his car entered water near Colne on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, Lancashire Police said the man was recovered from the water on Cockhill Lane, Foulridge, shortly after 4.15pm but was later pronounced dead at hospital.

A woman in her 80s was also taken to hospital and her condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

It is unclear whether the death was related to Storm Bert, which has caused flooding across parts of the UK this weekend.

Welsh First Minister says ‘difficult weekend’ has been ‘devastating’ for those hit by flooding

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:40 , Tara Cobham

The Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan said it has been “a really difficult weekend” and it is “absolutely devastating” for those affected by flooding after Storm Bert hit.

Speaking to broadcasters, Baroness Morgan said: “It’s been a really difficult weekend, and I’d like to thank the emergency services for all the support they’re giving to the people affected.

“I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm. There’s been huge investments since the last storm hit, so we’ve managed to protect lots more properties than last time. But obviously this is absolutely devastating, just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted.”

Asked if there will be emergency funding available to help people, she said discussions have already started, adding “and of course, we will do everything we need to do to put measures in place to support people who’ve undergone this really, really difficult situation”.

She added that they have put “hundreds of millions of pounds” into flood defences over the past few years, which is helping to protect about 250,000 homes, but “clearly, climate change is going to impact on us, and there will come a point when it will be too difficult for us to protect every home in the country but clearly, we want to put the support in place if we’re able to do that for the people impacted”.

Resident of flood-hit Pontypridd fears home could flood overnight

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:30 , Tara Cobham

A resident of a town in South Wales that has been affected by the flooding fears her home could flood overnight.

Claire Instrell, whose home in Pontypridd was flooded four years ago but has avoided water this time, said: “At eight o’clock this morning, I got knocked up out of bed.

“The neighbours were going around locking everyone’s gates last night.

“The council, Natural Resources Wales, haven’t done anything, nothing at all.”

She said she did not want to sleep in her home on Sunday evening because she worried water could come in during the night.

PM says he has spoken to Welsh first minister and is receiving updates as Storm Bert develops

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:24 , Tara Cobham

The prime minister has said he has spoken to the Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan about the flooding in Wales and added that he is receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops.

Sir Keir Starmer posted on X saying: “I’ve spoken with @PrifWeinidog about the severe weather and flooding in Wales.

“Thank you to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to protect communities — my thoughts are with those impacted.

“I’m receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK.”

River Taff rises to record levels

Sunday 24 November 2024 19:00 , Tara Cobham

Record river levels were recorded on the River Taff in Wales on Saturday Night.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council leader Andrew Morgan said the river was 23mm higher than it was during Storm Dennis in 2020 at Aberdare monitoring station, which was “considerably higher than previous records” at the time.

Local MP Sir Chris Bryant has since said the river was 53cm higher in Rhondda than it was during Storm Dennis in February 2020.

Water levels on street in flood-hit Pontypridd drop considerably

Sunday 24 November 2024 18:30 , Tara Cobham

The water levels on Sion Street, Pontypridd, where several homes were flooded during Storm Bert, have dropped considerably.

The fire service has been working to pump water off street and back into the river.

One car, which was partly underwater, is no longer submerged.

‘Trauma and upset’ caused by ‘exceptionally difficult’ weekend due to Storm Bert, says Welsh government

Sunday 24 November 2024 18:22 , Tara Cobham

A Welsh government spokesperson said the weekend has been “exceptionally difficult and disruptive” due to Storm Bert and the “trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated”.

The spokesperson added: “Given the scale of the impact, it will be vital that people continue to take extra care over the coming days and follow official advice. As the focus moves to recovery, it is important that those affected receive ongoing support and we will play our part alongside our partners in delivering that.

“Despite the significant impacts, it appears that flood defences played a role in protecting many homes and businesses, and we will continue our investment programme to make communities even more resilient to severe weather events in future.”

Wales’s deputy first minister visits flood-hit Pontypridd and No 10 also in touch

Sunday 24 November 2024 18:00 , Tara Cobham

Wales’s deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Pontypridd today, and the prime minister’s office has been in touch, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council said.

Councillor Andrew Morgan told a press conference this afternoon: “So first of all, the deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies was here this morning, I met with him to have conversations around the scale of the impact and what’s going on.”

He added that there has already been conversations with the Welsh Government, the First Minister has been in touch on Sunday afternoon, and he has had contact from the prime minister’s office “seeking again for an update and asking what assistance we may need”.

Emergency services at scene of scaffolding collapse in London

Sunday 24 November 2024 17:28 , Tara Cobham

South Wales council leader warns ‘clearly live are at risk’ due to flooding

Sunday 24 November 2024 17:09 , Tara Cobham

A South Wales council leader has warned “clearly live are at risk” due to the flooding.

Asked at a press conference if he believes lives are at risk, Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council, said: “Well, absolutely, you know, when you got a river flooding in people’s houses, and we’re asking the fire service to rescue people by boat, then clearly lives are at risk.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer Fin Monahan said that they have had messages from all over the UK with offers of assistance and they have taken some of the offers up.

Person rescued from car stranded by floodwaters in Walsall

Sunday 24 November 2024 16:52 , Andy Gregory

West Midlands Fire Service has said its crews rescued a person trapped in a car stranded in floodwater in Walsall on Sunday morning.

Birmingham-Shrewsbury rail line reopens after flooding

Sunday 24 November 2024 16:34 , Andy Gregory

Severe flooding had earlier blocked railway lines between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on Sunday morning – but all lines have now reopened.

Impact of flooding ‘worse than Storm Dennis’, Welsh council says

Sunday 24 November 2024 16:22 , Andy Gregory

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Natural Resources Wales and South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.

The council said “significant” flooding has taken place with the “impact looking to be more significant than the severe impact experienced during Storm Dennis” in 2020.

Rest centres have been set up for residents impacted at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre.

Hundreds of properties flooded in south Wales

Sunday 24 November 2024 16:06 , Andy Gregory

Hundreds of properties have been flooded in south Wales.

At a press conference in the Rhondda Valley, council leader Andrew Morgan said two to three hundred properties have been affected by flooding.

He said the buildings are a mixture of residential and commercial properties.

Mr Morgan told the press conference the weather was worse than forecast.

“I am amazed that it was only a yellow weather warning issued,” he said. “We absolutely thought on Saturday ... we were preparing for the possibility of an amber warning.

“It didn’t come but we took the decision ourselves to step up our resources and have depots open and crews in.”

Footage shows severe flooding hitting South Wales

Sunday 24 November 2024 16:03 , Andy Gregory

‘We’re just trying to save what we can,’ says Pontypridd resident hit by flooding

Sunday 24 November 2024 15:43 , Andy Gregory

Rania Koutsikou, 32, a part-time lecturer and PhD student at the University of South Wales impacted by the flooding in Pontypridd, said: “We woke up around seven o’clock only because our neighbour was knocking on our door saying that we have to move our car.

“Obviously it was already pretty bad even then. We moved our car, moved some of our stuff and our dog upstairs, and we went to our neighbours who offered us help.

“We’re just trying to save what we can. Nobody [official] took any action yesterday, like brought us sandbags or anything. People are very keen to help, as you can see, everyone is around, offering coffee, offering cookies, fire service are here now.

“I think everyone is safe, that’s the most important thing. But obviously it’s hard.”

Police supporting family after body found in search for 75-year-old missing in River Conwy

Sunday 24 November 2024 15:24 , Andy Gregory

North Wales Police said a body had been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry, who went missing in the River Conwy near the market town of Llanwrst on Saturday.

The force had put an appeal out to find Mr Perry after he was last seen at around 4.30pm wearing a red Berghaus waterproof jacket and accompanied by his wife and dog. He had been walking near Gower Road, which has been affected by severe flooding due to Storm Bert.

There has been no formal identification but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Chief Inspector Simon Kneale, of North Wales Police, said: “I would like to thank the efforts of all agencies involved in the searches in very difficult conditions and for the local community who supported the teams in the area.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and they have asked that their privacy is respected.”

Rhondda River half a metre higher than during Storm Dennis, MP says

Sunday 24 November 2024 15:05 , Andy Gregory

Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said there are about 10 different areas in his constituency affected by flooding and a fundraising page has been set up to help those in need.

The MP said the river was 53cm higher in Rhondda than it was during Storm Dennis in February 2020. He said: “There’s about 10 different areas in the constituency where there’s been flooding, some have flooded previously and others are completely new.”

The Rheola pub has been flooded for about the third time in five years and this time it was “like a river running through the middle of it”, he said, while residents on Brook Street in Porth had to be evacuated by firefighters.

Sir Chris said: “Quite a few of the local people who I’ve spoken to today don’t have any insurance as if you’re hard up it’s the last bill you pay.”

He said a fundraising page has been launched to help those in need across the area.

Gusts could exceed 70mph, Met Office says

Sunday 24 November 2024 14:46 , Andy Gregory

Gusts in exposed coasts could exceed 70mph today, the Met Office has said.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central, southern and eastern England, Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts.

Rainfall to ease through the day, Met Office says

Sunday 24 November 2024 14:27 , Andy Gregory

The rainfall affecting much of the UK today will ease through the day, the Met Office has said.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain.”

“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.

Body found in search for 75-year-old man missing in river, police say

Sunday 24 November 2024 14:25 , Andy Gregory

A body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police said.

Firefighters pump water out of Pontypridd street

Sunday 24 November 2024 14:08 , Andy Gregory

Firefighters have begun to pump water out of Sion Street in Pontypridd where several homes have been flooded.

This is the second time in four years the street – which runs alongside the River Taff – has experienced major flooding.

Members of the public have been arriving to pass out food and drinks to the emergency workers and people bailing water from their homes.

Storm Bert continues to cause havoc on railways

Sunday 24 November 2024 13:51 , Andy Gregory

Busy rail routes have also been affected by the blustery weather.

Multiple fallen trees have damaged overhead electrical wires on the railway line between Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, causing major disruption until further notice, Greater Anglia said.

Great Western Railway services between Plymouth and Penzance, Reading and Basingstoke and Exeter and Barnstaple have had lines blocked by fallen trees leading to cancellations and delays.

Southwestern Railway services into London Waterloo have been disrupted by a tree blocking the railway between Fleet and Farnborough in Hampshire.

With nearly 400 areas at risk of flooding, severe flooding blocked railway lines between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on Sunday morning, but all lines have now reopened. Trains on the route could still be disrupted until well into the afternoon, National Rail said.

Heathrow and Gatwick: flight cancellation chaos intensifies

Sunday 24 November 2024 13:34 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

Many more flights have been cancelled at Heathrow as Storm Bert disrupts flight schedules.

British Airways has now grounded well over 100 short-haul flights to and from the UK’s busiest airport. Links to Athens and Gibraltar are among the most recent cancellations.

Other airlines have also grounded flights, including SAS to and from Stockholm, TAP Portugal serving Lisbon and two round-trips from Amsterdam on KLM.

Several diversions have added to the disruptions. Emirates’ flagship service, EK1, diverted to Birmingham after attempting to land at Heathrow. An Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna went to Brussels. And two Heathrow-bound flights – Egyptair from Cairo and Saudia from Jeddah – diverted to Gatwick.

The Sussex airport has itself seen four diversions, too. Ryanair from Dublin and easyJet from Nantes both went to Birmingham instead. Wizz Air from Rome landed at Stansted. The longest diversion was on Vueling: a flight from Barcelona to Gatwick flew to Manchester. It later returned to its intended destination.